Big-Batch Strawberry Compote
4.4
(4)

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
Use this all-purpose fruit compote to fill pastries, spoon over ice cream, or mix into smoothies.
Recipe information
Total Time
1 hour
Yield
Makes about 6 cups
Ingredients
4 lb. strawberries, hulled, halved if large
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, and/or 4 strips lemon zest (optional)
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Preparation
Step 1
Combine strawberries, sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a small pot. Scrape in vanilla seeds and add pod, or add lemon zest if using. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up strawberries with a wooden spoon at beginning of cooking, until fruit is tender and juices are thick enough to coat spoon, 40–45 minutes. Fish out vanilla pod and/or lemon zest, then stir in lemon juice.
Step 2
Do Ahead: Compote can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and chill.